Abstract: The present invention generally provides apparatus and methods of operating a pumping system. The pump control apparatus includes a first sensor for measuring strain on a structure of the well pumping system and a second sensor for measuring a position of the structure. The apparatus also has a controller configured to control the well unit by receiving output signals from the first and second sensors and generating control signals according to a motor control sequence. This controller may be mounted to the structure of the pumping system to measure the strain experienced by the structure. The control signals may be transmitted to a motor control panel using a cable-less communications system. Preferably, the first sensor, the second sensor, and the controller are integrated into a single unit. In another embodiment, the pump control apparatus may be self-powered.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides apparatus and methods of operating a pumping system. The pump control apparatus includes a first sensor for measuring strain on a structure of the well pumping system and a second sensor for measuring a position of the structure. The apparatus also has a controller configured to control the well unit by receiving output signals from the first and second sensors and generating control signals according to a motor control sequence. This controller may be mounted to the structure of the pumping system to measure the strain experienced by the structure. The control signals may be transmitted to a motor control panel using a cable-less communications system. Preferably, the first sensor, the second sensor, and the controller are integrated into a single unit. In another embodiment, the pump control apparatus may be self-powered.

Abstract: A secure supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system includes a SCADA control host system and any number of remote terminal unit (RTU) systems. Each RTU system includes an RTU transceiver, an RTU and a remote security device (RSD) coupling the RTU to the RTU transceiver. The SCADA control host system includes a SCADA control host configured to exchange SCADA information with each of the RTUs in a SCADA format, and a host security device (HSD) coupling the SCADA control host to a host transceiver. The host transceiver is configured to establish communications with each of the plurality of RTU transceivers. The HSD communicates with the RSDs to transparently encrypt the SCADA information using a cryptographic protocol that is independent of the SCADA protocol to thereby secure the communications between the HSD and each of the RSDs.